Rights and Responsibilities of a Green Card Holder (Permanent Resident)

As a permanent resident (Green Card holder), you have the right to:

• Live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable under immigration law
• Work in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing. (Please note that some jobs will be limited to U.S. citizens for security reasons)
• Be protected by all laws of the United States, your state of residence and local jurisdictions

As a permanent resident, you are:

• Required to obey all laws of the United States and localities;
• Required to file your income tax returns and report your income to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities;
• Expected to support the democratic form of government (“support” does not include voting. Permanent residents cannot vote in federal, state, or local elections.); and
• Required to register with the Selective Service, if you are a male age 18 through 25.

For more information, see the Maintaining Permanent Residence and International Travel as a Permanent Resident pages.

More Information

• Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants (PDF, 3.57 MB)
• How Do I Get a Reentry Permit? (PDF, 667.32 KB)

Forms

• Green Card Based Forms
• I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
• Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records

Other USCIS Links

• Green Card Resources
• How Do I Help My Relative Become a Lawful Permanent Resident? (PDF, 577.38 KB)
• How Do I Renew or Replace My Permanent Resident Card? (PDF, 550.19 KB)
• "How Do I" Guides for Permanent Residents

Non-USCIS Links

• IRS: Taxation of Resident Aliens